Prescriptive Methods Research Articles

Postoperative prophylactic antibiotics were not associated with decreased surgical site infections following hemilaminectomy in dogs: a retrospective study.

To compare hemilaminectomy surgical site infection (SSI) rates in dogs treated with or without postoperative prophylactic antibiotics. Medical records of 275 client-owned dogs from 1 tertiary referral hospital were retrospectively reviewed for dogs treated with thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy for intervertebral disk herniation between 2018 and 2023. Dogs were grouped according to whether they were treated with prophylactic postoperative antibiotics (group A) or not (group B). Relevant case details including dog signalment, duration of anesthetic procedure, method of incision closure, perioperative and prophylactic postoperative antibiotic prescription, and diagnosis of postoperative SSI (as defined by the CDC) were recorded. Wilson binomial CIs were calculated for SSI rates. Surgical site infection rates between dogs given or not given antibiotics were analyzed with a Fisher exact test. The overall SSI rate was 3% (8 of 275; 95% CI, 1% to 6%). The SSI rate in group A was 3% (5 of 147; 95% CI, 1% to 8%), which was not statistically different from the 2% SSI rate (3 of 128; 95% CI, 1% to 7%) in group B (P = .728). There was not a statistical difference in SSI rates between closure methods (intradermal absorbable, 1% [1 of 79]; cutaneous staples, 4% [7 of 184]; cutaneous nylon, 0% [0 of 12]; P = .611). Overall hemilaminectomy SSI rates in this study were low, and prescription of prophylactic antibiotics was not associated with a decreased SSI rate. Practicing antimicrobial stewardship through avoidance of antimicrobial prophylaxis in clean surgical procedures may not be clinically detrimental to outcomes in hemilaminectomy dogs.

The Effects of Percentage-Based, Rating of Perceived Exertion, Repetitions in Reserve, and Velocity-Based Training on Performance and Fatigue Responses.

Cowley, N, Nicholson, V, Timmins, R, Munteanu, G, Wood, T, García-Ramos, A, Owen, C, and Weakley, J. The effects of percentage-based, rating of perceived exertion, repetitions in reserve, and velocity-based training on performance and fatigue responses. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-This study assessed the effects of percentage-based training (%1RM), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), repetitions in reserve (RIR), and velocity-based training (VBT) on (a) acute kinematic outputs, perceptions of effort, and changes in neuromuscular function during resistance training; and (b) neuromuscular fatigue and perceptions of soreness 24 hours after exercise. In a randomized crossover design, 15 subjects completed a %1RM, RPE, RIR, and VBT training condition involving a fatiguing protocol followed by 5 sets of the free-weight back squat and bench press at 70% of 1 repetition maximum. Subjects returned at 24 hours to assess neuromuscular fatigue and perceived soreness. Percentage-based training and RPE allowed the smallest volume loads, with %1RM prescription causing sets to be regularly taken to failure. Alternatively, RIR and VBT allowed greater maintenance of training volume. Velocity-based training had the most accurate training prescription, with all sets being within 5% of the intended starting velocity, while the RPE and %1RM prescriptive methods caused subjects to train with loads that were increasingly inaccurate. The RPE prescriptive method had the lowest reported values for differential RPE while the %1RM had the greatest change across the session. At no point were there between-group differences in measures of neuromuscular fatigue or perceived soreness. These findings demonstrate that autoregulatory prescriptive methods can be used to mitigate the risk of training to failure, ensure accurate training prescription that can maintain training volume, and enhance within-training kinematic outputs without altering neuromuscular fatigue or perceptions of soreness.

Peter Singer’s Speciesist Notion of Animal Conservation Vis-a-Vis Genetic Manipulation

This paper shows how human activity through genetic engineering causes pain to non-human animals. It primarily deals with an evaluation of the phenomenon of animal rights (specifically animal conservation) from the view of Singer’s notion of speciesism. Singer’s notion of speciesism frowns at all forms of animal maltreatment and emphasizes that animals are sentients, and they are capable of suffering and feeling pain. The central problem here is whether animal’s life has intrinsic value and whether they can be used for experiment. Among the several ways by which speciesism is practiced, this work identified genetic engineering as a major obstacle to animal conservation because humans will invade the animal space to look for various animal species to carry out experiment on. Using the method of critical analysis, evaluation and prescription, the paper argues that animals have life and belong to the environment and as such, the environment should be conserved also for their sake and if humans continue to exploit the environment by using animals for genetic manipulations, there will be negative consequences to humans and extinction of some species.

Rate of Perceived Exertion Based on Repetitions in Reserve Versus Percentage of One-Repetition Maximum for Resistance Training Prescription in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study.

The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy of the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) scale based on the number of repetitions in reserve (RIR) before exhaustion for the prescription of resistance training in cardiac rehabilitation and to compare it to the percentage of estimated one-repetition maximum (1RM) prescription method. Sixteen male patients (age 60 ± 8) with history of coronary artery disease were randomly assigned to two resistance training rehabilitation protocols lasting nine weeks and consisting of three sessions per week, with the same exercise selection, number of sets and repetitions, and rest periods, but different load prescription method (RPE vs. %1RM). Patients' strength was evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Patients in the RPE group showed significant increases in strength across all the exercises of the protocol (leg press 24.25 ± 17.07 kg; chest press 7.25 ± 3.41 kg; seated row 13.88 ± 7.57 kg; leg extension 14.24 ± 4.53 kg; shoulder press 5.75 ± 4.06 kg; lat pulldown 7.50 ± 4.66 kg). Post-intervention between-group analysis showed no differences in strength gains (leg press p = 0.955; chest press p = 0.965; seated row p = 0.763; leg extension p = 0.565; shoulder press p = 0.868; lat pulldown p = 0.780) and trivial effect sizes (ES) for one prescription method over the other (leg press ES = -0.03; chest press ES = 0.00; seated row ES = 0.10; leg extension ES = -0.29; shoulder press ES = 0.18; lat pulldown ES = 0.05). RPE based on RIR seems to be an effective prescription method for resistance training in cardiac rehabilitation, showing similar efficacy to the standardized practice of percentage of 1RM.

Development of Tracer Gas Method to Improve Indoor Air Quality: A Study on Ventilation Performance in Apartment Buildings in South Korea

This study analyzes the shortcomings of South Korea’s current evaluation method of ventilation performance for apartment buildings and suggests improvements. The current Korean regulations rely on the air change rate method, which is a prescriptive method and thus inadequately measures indoor air quality practically. Therefore, this study reviews various standards, finding that these standards can be categorized into those evaluating the mechanical performance of ventilators and those assessing indoor ventilation performance. This study highlights that the standards evaluating indoor ventilation performance are based on the tracer gas method but lack clear testing procedures and boundary conditions. This research also reviews the various previous research articles, noting that Korean research places emphasis on system design parameters, while international research focuses on architectural factors. It also identifies inconsistencies in the experimental setups across studies. To improve the current evaluation methods, the research suggests enhancing the tracer gas method with clear testing procedures and introducing indicators such as the age of air and uniformity coefficient together. Since the air change rate method does not consider the actual airflows and distribution in indoor spaces, this method is limited to deriving improvements in indoor ventilation performance. However, the suggested tracer gas method and indicators can be used to discover the optimal locations of vents for better indoor air quality or to drive a better building design to achieve better indoor ventilation performance. In other words, these enhancements aim to provide more accurate and comprehensive insights into the effectiveness of indoor ventilation systems, helping engineers, designers, and residents better understand and improve indoor air quality.

Poços de luz estão aptos a iluminar ambientes residenciais? Discussões normativas

Abstract Light wells in residential buildings represent a context that has received relatively little attention in daylighting analyses. This study aims to analyze the daylighting performance of a residential space with a window facing a light well, in order to contribute to the revision of NBR 15575:2013. The study conducted 1,152 daylighting analyses considering windows facing a light well, located on the first and fourth floors of a 4-story building. Clear and intermediate skies were considered in four Brazilian cities with different latitudes. Both the prescriptive method and point-in-time simulations were applied. The effectiveness of achieving daylit interior spaces through light wells strongly depends on the geometry of the light well and the external illuminance conditions of the city. Narrow light wells were found to be unsuitable for adequately daylighting the lower floor spaces. Furthermore, the prescriptive method was insufficient in representing daylighting originating solely from external wall interreflections. The study found that intermediate and superior performance levels, when achieved through point-in-time or spatial daylighting availability simulations, were never attained for the first-floor space. Therefore, the authors recommend that dense urban canyon situations and light wells be carefully considered in the revision of the standard.

Political Organization in Multicultural Societies Based on Religious Democracy

Multicultural societies have special conditions that do not reply to any political system. Therefore, a special structure of democracy should be designed to bring security and progress to these societies. The common version of religious democracy based on a majority vote is unsuitable for multicultural societies. Therefore, the mentioned societies need a special version of religious democracy that can provide justice and security in these societies. The question raised here is what political structure is suitable for multicultural societies? Using descriptive and prescriptive methods and based on the main principles and components of religious democracy such as social justice, political pluralism, popular acceptance, sovereignty of religious laws, and its supervision over power, the current research proposes a special structure in four territorials, legislative, administrative and judicial domains for these societies. The results of the research show that the federal system, with its two-pillar administrative structure composed of the president elected by the people and the prime minister elected by the parliament and the proportional distribution of power and benefits at different levels, along with a unicameral structure based on a proportional electoral system in which religious laws prevail, along with a religious supervisory body on the legislative process and judicial structure based on judicial independence in personal status, the use of independent courts, strengthening human rights institutions and the use of accepted laws of human rights and Islamic human rights is the most appropriate structure in multicultural societies.

Strategy for scheduled downtime of hospital information system utilizing third-party applications

BackgroundThe widespread adoption of Hospital Information Systems (HIS) has brought significant benefits in healthcare quality and workflow efficiency. However, downtimes for system maintenance are inevitable and pose a considerable challenge to continuous patient care. Existing strategies, including manual prescription methods, are no longer effective due to increasing reliance on digital systems.MethodThis study implemented two main strategies to mitigate the impact of scheduled downtimes. First, we created an “Emergency query program” that switches to a read-only backup server during downtimes, allowing clinicians to view essential patient data. Second, an “Emergency prescription system” was developed based on the Microsoft Power Platform and integrated into Microsoft Teams. This allows clinicians to perform digital prescriptions even during downtimes.ResultsDuring a planned 90-minute downtime, 282 users accessed the Emergency Prescription System, resulting in 22 prescriptions from various departments. Average times for prescription confirmation and completion were 8 min and 3 s, and 18 min and 40 s, respectively. A post-downtime evaluation revealed high user satisfaction.ConclusionEssential maintenance-induced HIS downtimes are inherently disruptive to patient care process. Our deployment of an emergency query program and a Microsoft Teams-integrated emergency prescription system demonstrated robust care continuity during HIS downtime.

Comparing Two Different Exercise Prescription Methods To Increase Physical Activity Among College Students

Comparing Two Different Exercise Prescription Methods To Increase Physical Activity Among College Students

ANALYSIS OF DIGITAL TAX IMPOSITION BASED ON THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES

Trade liberalization has consequences with the opening of global market access widely.. Along with the development of the era, international trade activities have begun to move towards the digital economy, one of which is reflected in the practice of digital multinational companies (digital MNEs). State revenue with the potential of the digital economy has also increased, where in 2023 the value of Indonesia's digital economy will reach US$82 billion. This study aims to identify the implementation of digital taxation on digital multinational companies in terms of GATS provisions. This paper uses a prescriptive legal research method using a statutory approach which in this case examines legal regulations relating to the imposition of digital taxes in international trade practices. The results of the study indicate that the imposition of digital taxes on multinational companies as per the concept of the Two Pillars of Tax Policy can be classified as a form of NTB. However, if the digital taxation policy that will be implemented in Indonesia has been adjusted to the idea of ​​the OECD Two Pillars of Tax Policy Concept, it is hoped that it will not conflict with the rules or principles of international trade, especially in GATS.

Exploring Factors for Prescription and Validation of Actuated Upper Limb Devices: a Cross-sectional Survey of Allied Health Professionals.

Actuated devices can be beneficial for individuals with upper limb muscle weakness, offering extra force and grip. Utilising this type of assistive device can facilitate daily activities, thereby enhancing independence and overall quality of life. The development of actuated assistive devices has been growing, and current literature shows promise in their clinical use. However, they are not yet medically recommended by global guidelines and councils. Studies have suggested why assistive devices have barriers to access, but actuated devices have not been a focus in these discussions. To address this issue, a survey was conducted among professionals who prescribe and assess upper limb assistive devices. The survey aimed to gather their opinions and quantify the factors that might contribute to the limited use of actuated devices in the field. A web-based cross-sectional study was designed using Qualtrics, contained 25 items and was conducted between October 2023 and January 2024. The survey was piloted, validated, and ethically approved. Results were statistically analysed, and open questions underwent thematic analysis. 87 Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) contributed to the survey, with a completion rate of 69% (60/87). Survey respondents predominately worked from the USA (72%). The survey revealed that 66% of respondents felt they did not have sufficient access to assistive devices and 58% indicated that outcome measures could be improved. They also noted that actuated devices needed to better meet user-centric needs. Barriers to prescribing these devices included a lack of awareness, experience and standardised prescription methods. In addition, the limited time with patients made decision-making and validation of an actuated device difficult. AHP's have experience prescribing assistive devices but do not have access, knowledge, or clinical methods to assess the use of actuated devices. Future designs for actuated devices should focus on wearability, comfort, user satisfaction, safety and ease of use.

Development of a framework to track life safety levels of occupants in the event of a fire in buildings

ABSTRACT In the operational phase of buildings, tracking what modifications can have an impact on the expected facility performances through manual checks can be impractical, albeit very important from a facility management perspective. The transition from the traditional prescriptive method towards the performance-based approach for building design and management may facilitate quantitative assessment of performances and may lead to conscious decisions which includes preparedness in the event of emergencies. The main goal of this paper is to develop a framework, compliant with a Building Information Modelling (BIM) environment, to track fire safety performance levels, in terms of life safety of occupants. As long as this is done through the definition of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are being tracked continuously, facility managers can have a comprehensive and updated overview of current performances of a facility. More specifically, a single representative KPI was set and evaluated for several fire scenarios, using a set of simulation and data management tools. The results of the assessment were processed and transformed into a visual representation, referenced to a grid superimposed over the building layout to quantitatively represent the safety of occupants at every point of the building. The results were then sent back and displayed into the BIM model, for seamless accessibility by facility managers. The proposed methodology was tested on a pilot building, assuming two fire scenarios. This approach enabled supervision of a building’s compliance with fire safety requirements, in terms of occupants’ life safety, throughout the building lifecycle.

S14-1: EUPAP Feasibility Study. Practice transfer of a HEPA prescription model to other nine EU countries. From theory to practice

Abstract Purpose The Swedish Physical Activity on Prescription (PAP-S) method was to be transferred to other European regions through the EUPAP Project, innovative for implementing a reliable method to other nine countries. Implementation practices are strongly context-dependent; therefore, the practice transfer requires a flexible approach. PAP-S results over 20 years have reported success to a variety of populations. It addresses physically inactive individuals and/or with chronic conditions to improve their health by increasing their physical activity (PA) levels. The PAP-S five core components are: individualised patient-centred counselling, evidence-based PA recommendation, written prescription, community support, and follow-up. The goal was to know the context regarding PA prescription and ease the transfer from the Swedish context, specifically to: a) setting relevant PAP-S indicators for planning and monitoring, b) creating guidelines for data collection, c) providing an overview of the situation in each region, and d) assessing for readiness to implement the model. Project description Modified Hybrid e-Delphi process by representative from 10 countries. First, commitment from organisations to assume costs for the implementation. Second, description of variables and procedures for data collection. Data comprised two dimensions (ie, macro level (early diagnosis) and micro level (preparedness for implementation)). Third, data collection. Fourth, data analysis and discussion. Thirty-five experts participated in the EUPAP Feasibility Study. Guidelines for data collection includes indicators on macro level: a) EUPAP-relevant policy documents, b) profiles of prescribers and allied professionals, c) programmes, materials and training on HEPA, d) regulations, e) budget; and micro level: a) stakeholders, b) settings, c) agents, d) end-users. Country-specific results were collected, compared and discussed in relation to the core components of PAP-S (findings are accessible on www.eupap.org). Project partners disseminated the results among region-specific stakeholders. Conclusions Data showed regions with solid background to launch the EUPAP implementation (Flanders, Catalonia, Portugal) and others with less existing materials or weak network (Malta, Romania, Germany). Policy-makers, local health services and communities may better set short- mid- and long-term goals for the PAP-S transfer. Further design on practices and policies may use the Feasibility Study Guidelines for setting specific procedures. Funding Co-funded by the European Union’s Health Programme (2014-2020).

Homeopathy for Hypertension: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of the Current Evidence

Background: Hypertension is a growing health concern linked to sedentary lifestyle choices and behaviors. Homeopathy is one of the most frequently used complementary medicine for hypertension, but the state of evidence is not well characterized. This scoping review aims to map the current state of evidence and explore the range of prescription methods used in homeopathy for this condition. Methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Cam-Quest, Core-Hom) were systematically searched for published studies evaluating the effects of homeopathic medicines on hypertension. Only clinical trials published in English that assessed the impact of homeopathy on hypertension were included. Data were extracted and organized in a spreadsheet, capturing study population characteristics, prescription methods, outcomes, and specific homeopathic medicines used. Results: A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. The primary outcome assessed in most studies was blood pressure, including systolic and diastolic measurements. Eleven studies reported a statistically significant reduction in blood pressure with homeopathic treatment. Both individualized homeopathy (n=11) and prescription based on specific remedies or complex homeopathy (n=7) demonstrated improvements in hypertension. Lifestyle modifications were consistently incorporated into the management plans in all the studies. However, most of the included studies had short treatment durations. The review provides a list of potentially helpful homeopathic medicines for future research. Conclusion: This scoping review reveals a limited number of studies that have examined the effect of homeopathic medicines in managing hypertension. In addition, determining the optimal prescription method for homeopathy in hypertension management remains challenging. Further research, including well-designed randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up, is warranted to strengthen the evidence base.

Refining Treatment Planning in STereotactic Arrhythmia Radioablation: Benchmark Results and Consensus Statement From the STOPSTORM.eu Consortium

Background and purposeSTereotactic Arrhythmia Radioablation (STAR) showed promising results in patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT). However, clinical data is scarce and heterogeneous. The STOPSTORM.eu consortium was established to investigate and harmonize STAR in Europe. The primary goal of this benchmark study was to investigate current treatment planning practice within the STOPSTORM project as a baseline for future harmonization. MethodsPlanning target volumes (PTV) overlapping extra-cardiac organs-at-risk and/or cardiac substructures were generated for three STAR cases. Participating centers were asked to create single fraction treatment plans with 25 Gy dose prescription based on in-house clinical practice. All treatment plans were reviewed by an expert panel and quantitative crowd knowledge-based analysis was performed with independent software using descriptive statistics for ICRU report 91 relevant parameters and crowd dose-volume-histograms. Thereafter, treatment planning consensus statements were established using a dual-stage voting process. ResultsTwenty centers submitted 67 treatment plans for this study. In most plans (75%) Intensity Modulated Arc Therapy (IMAT) with 6 MV flattening-filter-free beams was used. Dose prescription was mainly based on PTV D95% (49%) or D96-100% (19%). Many participants preferred to spare close extra-cardiac organs-at-risk (75%) and cardiac substructures (50%) by PTV coverage reduction. PTV D0.035cm3 ranged 25.5-34.6 Gy, demonstrating a large variety of dose inhomogeneity. Estimated treatment times without motion compensation or setup ranged 2-80 minutes. For the consensus statements, strong agreement was reached for beam technique planning, dose calculation, prescription methods and trade-offs between target and extra-cardiac critical structures. No agreement was reached on cardiac substructure dose limitations and on desired dose inhomogeneity in the target. ConclusionThis STOPSTORM multi-center treatment planning benchmark study showed strong agreement on several aspects of STAR treatment planning, but also revealed disagreement on others. To standardize and harmonize STAR in the future, consensus statements were established, however clinical data is urgently needed for actionable guidelines for treatment planning.

Is use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC) associated with reduced well-woman visits and STI testing? Evidence from female Medicaid clients aged 15–24 in Delaware

ObjectiveContraceptive method type matters to sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, but contraceptive counseling often emphasizes method efficacy and the benefits of “forgettable” methods, including long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). We aimed to explore associations between prescription method type and annual STI testing and investigated whether these associations relate to annual well-woman visits. MethodsWe constructed a panel of 20,949 young women (<25) enrolled in Delaware's Medicaid program from 2012 through 2019. Conditional logit regressions measured associations between contraceptive method type and annual testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis. We stratified contraceptive methods into LARC, short-acting reversible methods (SARC; pills, patch, ring, and injectable), or no prescription method. We estimated three models examining STI testing in year of method initiation, in years afterwards, and attendance to a well-woman visit as a potential mediator of these associations. ResultsSTI testing rates did not differ between LARC versus SARC users in the year of method initiation. In the two years after method initiation, LARC versus SARC users were less likely to be tested (OR = 0.73 to OR = 0.87) and less likely to have a well-woman visit (OR = 0.65 to OR = 0.79). In models controlling for attendance to well-woman visits, the decreased likelihood of STI testing in years after initiating LARC versus SARC is largely eliminated, indicating that well-woman visits mediate the relationship between method type and STI testing. ConclusionsLARC use relates to reduced STI testing in years after method initiation due to reduced attendance to well-women visits. These findings can inform clinical practice and STI prevention.

Can the Velocity of a 1RM Hang Power Clean Be Used to Estimate a 1RM Hang High Pull?

Suchomel, TJ, Techmanski, BS, Kissick, CR, and Comfort, P. Can the velocity of a 1RM hang power clean be used to estimate a 1RM hang high pull? J Strength Cond Res 38(7): 1321-1325, 2024-The purpose of this study was to estimate the 1-repetition maximum hang high pull (1RM HHP) using the peak barbell velocity of a 1RM hang power clean (HPC). Fifteen resistance-trained men (age = 25.5 ± 4.5 years, body mass = 88.3 ± 15.4 kg, height = 176.1 ± 8.5 cm, relative 1RM HPC = 1.3 ± 0.2 kg·kg-1) with previous HPC experience participated in 2 testing sessions that included performing a 1RM HPC and HHP repetitions with 20, 40, 60, and 80% of their 1RM HPC. Peak barbell velocity was measured using a linear position transducer during the 1RM HPC and HHP repetitions performed at each load. The peak barbell velocity achieved during the 1RM HPC was determined as the criterion value for a 1RM performance. Subject-specific linear regression analyses were completed using slope-intercept equations created from the peak velocity of the 1RM HPC and the peak barbell velocities produced at each load during the HHP repetitions. The peak barbell velocity during the 1RM HPC was 1.74 ± 0.30 m·s-1. The average load-velocity profile showed that the estimated 1RM HHP of the subjects was 98.0 ± 19.3% of the 1RM HPC. Although a 1RM HHP value may be estimated using the peak barbell velocity during the HPC, strength and conditioning practitioners should avoid this method because of the considerable variation within the measurement. Additional research examining different methods of load prescription for weightlifting pulling derivatives is needed.

Telerehabilitation-based training to improve balance confidence, falls efficacy, functional independence in individuals with stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation-based balance and coordination exercises on balance confidence, fall efficacy, and functional independence in stroke patients. Methods: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 30 stroke patients (15 in the telerehabilitation-based group and 15 in the paper-based control group). The telerehabilitation group received video-based exercise training, while the control group received paper-based exercise training. Fear of falling (FES-I), balance (ABC), self-management (SSEQ) and satisfaction with telemedicine (TSQ) were evaluated before and six weeks after treatment. Results: The results of the present study showed that both telerehabilitation-based video training and paper- based exercise prescription methods were effective in terms of balance confidence, fall efficiency and stroke-specific functional independence (p&lt;0.05). Besides, telerehabilitation-based video training was more effective in balance confidence (p=0.042) and functional independence (0.018). In addition, the satisfaction of individuals in the telerehabilitation group with the telerehabilitation application was above average (59.73±8.15). Conclusion: Telerehabilitation-based video exercises in stroke patients may provide additional advantages in terms of balance confidence and fall efficiency. In addition, individuals with stroke were satisfied with the remote rehabilitation application.

Narrative Analysis: Demonstrating the Iterative Process for New Researchers

&lt;p&gt;This article demonstrates and describes an iterative process of narrative analysis for researchers who want to familiarise themselves with this methodology. The method draws on the six-step process of how to analyse a narrative, the four modes of reading a narrative and the three-sphere model of external context. The application of the method is demonstrated through describing the process of analysis of New Zealand school counsellors’ narratives of strengths-based counselling. Furthermore, this article posits that committing to a narrative analysis process of repeated and in-depth engagement with participants’ narrative data may facilitate a more robust and engaging research outcome than may otherwise have been achieved through more prescriptive methods of narrative analysis. Finally, this article highlights the use of story-map grids (tables) and models as visual aids to assist in the process of narrative analysis.&lt;/p&gt;

Are incremental exercise relationships between rating of perceived exertion and oxygen uptake or heart rate reserve valid during steady-state exercises?

Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is considered a valid method for prescribing prolonged aerobic steady-state exercise (SSE) intensity due to its association with physiological indicators of exercise intensity, such as oxygen uptake (V̇O2) or heart rate (HR). However, these associations between psychological and physiological indicators of exercise intensity were found during graded exercise tests (GXT) but are currently used to prescribe SSE intensity even though the transferability and validity of the relationships found during GXT to SSE were not investigated. The present study aims to verify whether (a) RPE-HR or RPE-V̇O2 relations found during GXTs are valid during SSEs, and (b) the duration and intensity of SSE affect these relations. Eight healthy and physically active males (age 22.6 ± 1.2 years) were enrolled. On the first visit, pre-exercise (during 20 min standing) and maximal (during a GXT) HR and V̇O2 values were measured. Then, on separate days, participants performed 4 SSEs on the treadmill by running at 60% and 80% of the HR reserve (HRR) for 15 and 45 min (random order). Individual linear regressions between GXTs' RPE (dependent variable) and HRR and V̇O2 reserve (V̇O2R) values (computed as the difference between maximal and pre-exercise values) were used to predict the RPE associated with %HRR (RPEHRR) and %V̇O2R (RPEV̇O2R) during the SSEs. For each relation (RPE-%HRR and RPE-%V̇O2R), a three-way factorial repeated measures ANOVA (α=0.05) was used to assess if RPE (dependent variable) was affected by exercise modality (i.e., RPE recorded during SSE [RPESSE] or GXT-predicted), duration (i.e., 15 or 45 min), and intensity (i.e., 60% or 80% of HRR). The differences between RPESSE and GXT-predicted RPE, which were assessed by evaluating the effect of modality and its interactions with SSE intensity and duration, showed no significant differences between RPESSE and RPEHRR. However, when RPESSE was compared with RPEV̇O2R, although modality or its interactions with intensity were not significant, there was a significant (p=0.020) interaction effect of modality and duration yielding a dissociation between changes of RPESSE and RPEV̇O2R over time. Indeed, RPESSE did not change significantly (p=0.054) from SSE of 15 min (12.1 ± 2.0) to SSE of 45 min (13.5 ± 2.1), with a mean change of 1.4 ± 1.8, whereas RPEV̇O2R decreased significantly (p=0.022) from SSE of 15 min (13.7 ± 3.2) to SSE of 45 min (12.4 ± 2.8), with a mean change of -1.3 ± 1.5. The transferability of the individual relationships between RPE and physiological parameters found during GXT to SSE should not be assumed as shown by the results of this study. Therefore, future studies modelling how the exercise prescription method used (e.g., RPE, HR, or V̇O2) and SSE characteristics (e.g., exercise intensity, duration, or modality) affect the relationships between RPE and physiological parameters are warranted.